LDAR returns to Texas.

The International Society of Automation's Leak Detection and Repair/Fugitive Emissions (LDAR) Symposium returns to Galveston, (TX USA) in 2018.

Deadlines
Abstracts to Committee Chair — 12 January 2018
Draft Paper/Presentations — 26 January 2018
Reviewers’ Comments to Authors — 9 February 2018
Rights and Responsibilities Form — 16 February 2018
Final Electronic Presentation Materials — 23 Feb 2018

The organisers invite industry professionals to share their expertise in air compliance and LDAR program solutions with other industry experts presenting on best practices, technology advancements, compliance requirements and regulations at the 2018 LDAR Symposium.

This annual technical conference and exhibition will be held in Galveston, Texas—with training courses on 5 & 8 March, and the conference on 6-7 March.

#LDAR #PAuto #ISAuto

Symposium chair announced,

Don Dickinson of Phoenix Contact has been named as General Symposium Chair for the upcoming 2018 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium.

Don Dickinson

Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda (USA) on 7-9 August 2018—only 15 minutes from the USA capital—the WWAC Symposium will feature two days of technical speakers, an exhibitor hall, a tour of a local water plant, and technical training courses on a variety of topics. The event, now in its fifteenth year, brings together automation professionals in the municipal water/wastewater sector from around the world.

“The ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium, also known as WWAC, is unique in its focus,” says Graham Nasby, Chair of the ISA-112 SCADA systems standards committee. “It is the only symposium in North America that is entirely devoted to the needs of automation professionals in the municipal water/wastewater sector. We are delighted to have Don Dickinson head up this important event for us in 2018.”

Dickinson and Phoenix Contact, a global leader in electrical engineering, electronics and automation, have been involved with the WWAC Symposium for many years. In 2012, when the event was rebooted as a modern conference, Phoenix Contact was one of the key sponsors of the event, a role it has held ever since. Over the years, Dickinson has served as a presenter, a member of the program committee, and Assistant Symposium Chair.

“I look forward to continuing to lead what has been a very successful symposium for the ISA,” remarked Dickinson in a recent interview. “Automation plays an integral role in addressing the significant challenges that we face in our industry, such as modernizing an aging infrastructure. The WWAC Symposium is focused on ensuring that the automation workforce is equipped to deal with these challenges and continues to benefit from advances in technology.”

Each year the symposium boasts an attendance of 200-300 water professionals, which includes plant managers, operators, engineers, and system integration personnel. With its focus on SCADA, instrumentation and automation, the gathering offers targeted training and knowledge-sharing that is not available at other conferences.

The WWAC Symposium partners with local sections of the AWWA (American Water Works Association) and the WEF (Water Environment Federation), in order to offer MDE/state-approved Continuing Education Credits (CEU), which can be used by state-licensed water operators for their annual license renewals. The event also offers PDH (professional developments hours) that can be used by both engineers and Certified Automation Professionals® (CAP®) to meet their continuing education requirements.

Abstracts are currently being solicited for the symposium. Potential authors and speakers are encouraged to submit a 250-word entry summarizing proposed presentations and papers for the 2018 conference. Submissions are due on 31 January 2018. The complete Call for Papers, author information kit, and a list of suggested topics of interest can be found on the website. Announcements about invited and guest speakers will be made in the new year and updates will be listed on the website as well.

#WWAC #Pauto #ISAuto

Early-bird registration deadline for Water/Wastewater symposium.

The deadline for early-bird registration for the 2017 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium has been extended to 1 July 2017. The original deadline was 15 June 2017.

ISA members who register by Saturday, 1 July will pay only $350—a discount of $150 off the regular rate. Additional registration discounts are available for AWWA, WEF and ITA members.

The 2017 ISA WWAC Symposium, to be conducted 8-10 August 2017  in Orlando (FL USA), is expected to draw between 200 and 250 attendees. The event is presented by the ISA Water/Wastewater Industries Division (WWID), in collaboration with the Florida Section of the AWWA (FSAWWA), the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA), the WEF Automation and Info Tech Committee, and the Instrumentation Testing Association (ITA).

Some of the most highly regarded experts, including six distinguished speakers, will address the critical issues and challenges in automation facing the water/wastewater industry. Speakers and sessions will highlight the importance of instrumentation, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and automatic control applications to the safe, effective treatment and distribution of water, and the collection and treatment of wastewater.

Attendees will gain the latest news and trends in automation and control systems, instrumentation, cybersecurity, alarm management, and emerging technologies across the industry. Twenty-four technical presentations will be delivered on various aspects of automation and control.

In addition to an acclaimed keynote speaker and five notable guest speakers and the extensive technical program, the symposium will feature a hands-on instrumentation workshop (introduced for the first time), an exhibit showcase, a tour of a nearby water facility, high-value training opportunities and more.

The symposium also provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable technical information, networking, professional development and continuing education credits (CEUs and PDHs).

“I continue to receive feedback that this event is truly one of the best of its kind due to the fact that the attendees and exhibitors are focused on solutions to real-world challenges and what’s actually experienced in on-the-job settings,” reports Kevin Patel, Director of the 2017 ISA Water/Wastewater Industry Division. “Adding to its value are the training opportunities, and the networking, professional development and continuing education credits.”

“Our secret is our focus,” says Patrick Gouhin, CEO and Executive Director at ISA. “Our annual ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium specifically caters to the needs of professionals involved with automation, instrumentation and SCADA in the municipal water and wastewater sectors. It is a unique niche event and we are proud of its increasing popularity. There is no other event like it in North America.”

#WWAC. #PAuto #Water #ISAuto

Analysis in a rosy setting!

Mark your calendar today to attend ISA’s 2017 Analysis Symposium to be held 23-27 April in the charming City of Roses—Pasadena (CA USA).

Set against the San Gabriel Mountains, picturesque Pasadena will welcome leading analysis professionals and experts to present and discuss the latest and most innovative techniques, developments, and applications in the analytical sciences.

This 62nd annual symposium event features expert presentations and speakers, valuable training courses, an informative technology forum and exhibition, and a wide range of fun-filled social networking events. Attendees will gain the opportunity to meet and engage with industry thought leaders and innovators, as well as representatives of process analyzer manufacturers who will be showcasing their new products and applications.

 @ISA_Interchange #PAuto

Water & Waste papers sought!

The 2017 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium (WWAC) is taking place 8-10 August 2017 in Orlando. (FL USA).

This year’s symposium will feature two full days of speakers, a plant tour, ISA training courses, and a supplier showcase. We will once again be offering CEUs and PDHs for all attendees. The industry-specific technical symposium will be priced at $350 for ISA members—online registration to be available shortly.

The 2017 Call for Abstracts is now available here.

#WWAC #ISAuto #PAuto

Acclaimed speakers for Process Control & Safety Symposium.

The best and brightest minds in process industries—including three distinguished keynote speakers—will come together at the 2016 ISA Process Control & Safety Symposium and Exhibition, 7-10 November in Houston, (TX USA).

Attending engineers, technicians and plant managers will be able to gain the latest insights, news and trends in process measurement and control—particularly in the chemical and energy processing and other key process industry sectors. Particular attention will be placed on the critical issues in instrumentation, communications, control systems, safety and security.

Three outstanding keynote presentations
Three notable automation and control industry professionals will deliver keynote addresses. A keynote presentation will be delivered on each day of the conference.

Paul Gruhn

Tuesday 8 November
“Process Safety: Are we getting any better? Recollections on four decades of experience and more”
Keynote Presenter: Paul Gruhn
Paul Gruhn, Global Functional Safety Consultant at aeSolutions, is a highly acclaimed and awarded safety expert in the automation and control field, with more than four decades of experience. He is an ISA Fellow, the co-chair of the ISA 84 standard committee (on safety instrumented systems), and a developer and instructor of ISA courses on safety systems.
An accomplished author, he has written two ISA textbooks (Safety Instrumented Systems: Design, Analysis & Justification and Sell More through Effective Technical Presentations), other book chapters and more than two dozen published articles.
Gruhn developed the first commercial safety system modeling software. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Texas, a member of Control System Engineer (CSE) exam team, a certified functional safety expert (CFSE) and an ISA84 expert. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Dr Bonnie Dunbar

Wednesday 9 November
“Inspiring and Recruiting Engineers into the 21st Century”
Keynote Presenter: Bonnie J. Dunbar
Bonnie J. Dunbar, Ph.D., is a retired NASA astronaut, engineer, and educator. She currently is a Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Distinguished Research Professor in the university’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, and has a joint appointment as the director of the TEES Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation (IEEI).
A member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Dunbar comes to Texas A&M from the University of Houston where she provided leadership in the development of a new integrated university science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) center. At the University of Houston, she served as an M.D. Anderson Professor of Mechanical Engineering and directed the SICSA Space Architecture graduate program.
Prior to that, Dr. Dunbar worked for The Rockwell International Space Division Company building Space Shuttle Columbia and worked for 27 years at NASA. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degrees in ceramic engineering from the University of Washington and a doctorate degree in mechanical/biomedical engineering from the University of Houston.

Thursday 10 November

Steve Mustard

“Safe and Secure? The State of Industrial Cybersecurity”
Keynote Presenter: Steve Mustard
Steve Mustard is an ISA Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®), UK registered Chartered Engineer, and European registered Eur Ing and consultant with extensive development and management experience in business process automation across multiple sectors.
A widely recognized expert in industrial cybersecurity and an ISA99 Security Standards Committee member, Mustard played an essential role in the development of the world’s only consensus-based series of industrial cybersecurity standards—ISA/IEC 62443. He also actively participates in cybersecurity working groups formed by the Automation Federation, ISA’s umbrella organization.
Mustard’s previous and current client list includes: the UK Ministry of Defence; NATO; major utilities, such as Anglian Water Services and Sydney Water Corporation; major oil and gas companies, such as BG Group and Aera Energy; Quintiles Laboratories; and other leading organizations.

A world-class technical program and vendor exhibition
In addition to the keynote presentations, the symposium offers an expert-led technical program that will cover the critical issues in instrumentation, safety, security, communications and control systems. Among the wide-ranging topics to be covered include: Instrumentation; Communications; Control Systems.

An exhibit showcase will feature the latest product and service information at engaging vendor and supplier exhibits. Daily luncheons and nightly receptions allow for ample networking and socializing.

Attendees may add value to their event experience by taking an on-site ISA training short course. The following three courses will be conducted on Monday, 7 November—prior to the commencement of the technical program: • Electrical Controls for the Control Systems Technician (TI23C) • Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ISA/IEC 62443 Standards (IC32C) • An Introduction to Safety Instrumented Systems (EC50C)

Register for this professionally rewarding event today
#PCS2016 #PAuto #ISAuto

Talking Water & Waste!

The 2016 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium recently drew 165 attendees, some from as far away as Singapore, to its annual conference and exhibition held in Orlando, (FL, USA). The event featured over 40 speakers and presenters as well as nearly 30 exhibitors/sponsors. Presentations and exhibits highlighted the latest information and technologies relevant to the water and wastewater industries.

“The 2016 Symposium was successful in many regards, from the quality of the presentations and the level of expertise among our numerous speakers to the top-notch training courses, SeaWorld facility tour and outstanding exhibitors,” said General Symposium Chair Pavol Segedy. “We’ve once again built upon the success of past symposiums and offered our attendees another unique learning and networking opportunity.”

The highly targeted Symposium focused on the needs of automation professionals and on the varied challenges associated with automation and instrumentation in the municipal water and wastewater sectors, including emerging automation and control systems trends, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), instrumentation, systems integration, optimization, cybersecurity and alarm management.

Attendees took part in an extensive program of keynotes and technical presentations; an interactive panel discussion; a behind the scenes control systems operations tour of the local SeaWorld attraction; a vendor exposition; networking events; and two ISA training courses: Application of Industrial Wireless Systems and Using the ISA/IEC 62443 Standards to Secure Your Control System.

The Symposium’s technical speakers presented to a large audience of SCADA designers, programmers and users. Of particular note were presentations on High Performance (HP) HMI design, cybersecurity and the role of SCADA in utilities of the future.

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Steven D. Drew, Director of Water Resources for the City of Greensboro, (NC USA). Drew’s presentation addressed the importance of maintaining critical service professionals, specifically front line automation pros and maintenance technicians, in achieving efficiency goals. Those employees, he emphasized, are passionate about their work and are the agents of change and innovation that will propel a utility to the next level of efficiency.

Invited speaker Greg Lehmann spoke about the importance of standardization for Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) in process automation industries. His presentation described the call for the new ISA HMI Standard, provided a detailed chronicle of its journey from charter to ANSI approval, and addressed its ongoing activities. Lehmann is a Process Automation Technical Manager with 30+ years of industry experience. He is employed by AECOM.

Invited speaker Dean Ford discussed the background behind the Automation Competency Model (ACM) and current work going on to apply the model in industry. Noting that its application can be beneficial to workforce development challenges within organizations, Ford illustrated methods of implementing it and practical steps automation professionals can take toward implementation personally, professionally and organizationally. Ford is the Executive Vice President of Westin Engineering.

Among the guest speakers were Bryan L. Singer, CISSP, CAP, Principal Investigator with Kenexis Security Corporation and author of two books about cybersecurity; Kevin M. Morley, Ph.D., Security & Preparedness Program Manager for the American Water Works Association; Michael Sweeney, Ph.D., Deputy Executive Director of Toho Water Authority; and 40-year industry veteran Tom DeLaura from Water Environment Federation (WEF). Over 30 additional technical speakers from throughout the water and wastewater industry rounded out the Symposium’s two-day agenda.

A popular attraction was the Kickoff Networking Event which featured a behind the scenes tour of the controlled water processes at the SeaWorld attraction. Over 50 Symposium attendees participated in this unique experience.

The Symposium also received robust participation both sponsors and exhibitors. Platinum sponsors for this year’s event included Schneider Electric, Phoenix Contact and General Electric. Gold sponsors were Eramosa and Industrial Video & Control. Over 35 different exhibitors showcased their products and services during the trade show.

• The 2017 ISA WWAC Symposium, is scheduled for 8-10 August 2017, once again planned for Orlando.

#ISAWWAC #ISAuto #PAuto

Power symposium not to be missed.

The preliminary program for its 59th Power Industry Division (POWID) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Symposium, to be held 27-30 June 2016 in Charlotte, (NC USA). The preliminary program (click here to download) features more than 50 technical paper presentations along with expert speakers and a diverse range of panel discussions, tutorials, training courses, vendor exhibitions, and other value-packed activities. Attendees will meet face to face with the leading authorities and thought leaders at the pulse of change in the energy industry and gain the critical insights and perspectives needed to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving energy marketplace. Sessions will address the key factors influencing: All forms of energy, including nuclear, fossil fuels, hydro and renewables Data security and demands for improved industrial cybersecurity Reliable, efficient power generation and delivery Advanced technologies and emerging applications Each year, ISA’s POWID Symposium is viewed as the “can’t-miss” event for learning about the latest innovations in instrumentation, controls and automation systems; staying informed of vital regulatory requirements and updates; and networking with a wide range of power generation professionals. ISA is once again partnering with the EPRI—a premier research and development organization focusing on the challenges in the generation, delivery and use of electricity—to conduct this high-profile event. With robust energy-related research, development and engineering operations, and more than 260 companies tied to the energy sector, the city of Charlotte is a fitting venue. Highlights on the agenda include: Addresses by three noted industry experts: Ramesh (Rudy) Shankar, Ph.D., MBA, Professor at the Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC) at the University of North Carolina Charlotte; Robert Romanosky, Ph.D., Advanced Research Technology Manager at the National Energy Technology Laboratory within the US Department of Energy; and Randy Bickford, President of Expert Microsystems, Inc. Three expert-led ISA training courses (all to be conducted on Friday, 1 July): Introduction to Boiler Control Systems (ES15C); Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ISA/IEC 62443 Standards (IC32C); and An Introduction to Safety Instrumented Systems (EC50C). A Vendor Exhibition showcasing leading industry companies and information on their latest products, technologies and services. Corporate sponsors and exhibitors include: ABB, Beamex, Emerson Process Management, Honeywell, MissionSecure, Owl, Phoenix Contact, Rkneal, Schneider Electric and Ultra Electronics Also on the agenda are ISA I&C Standards working group meetings, the EPRI I&C Interest Group Meeting, and the annual Honors and Awards Banquet.  #POWID #ISAuto #PAuto #Power

Keynote speaker at Water & Waste Symposium announced!

Steven D. Drew, the Water Resources Director for the City of Greensboro, North Carolina and a national delegate of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), will deliver the keynote address at ISA’s 2016 Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium, to be held 2-4 August 2016 in Orlando (FL USA) Steven D. Drew Drew’s keynote speech—which will be delivered on Wednesday, 3 August at 8:15 a.m.—is titled “Leveraging Your Career in Industrial Controls and Automation.” It will emphasize the critical importance of attracting, retaining and developing competent professionals with proven skills in operational technology. Without a highly trained and capable workforce, Drew asserts that utilities will be unable to maintain operational reliability, defend against cyber threats, increase efficiency or promote innovation. Drew has served as Water Resources Director for the City of Greensboro, NC since 2012. Prior to that, he served in many other positions within the city’s Water Supply Division, including: Operations Division Manager; Water Supply Division Manager; Plant Superintendent of Maintenance and Operations; and Plant Mechanic and Electronics Technician. Drew has served as Chair of the NC AWWA-NEA Operations & Maintenance Committee and on the NC AWWA-NEA Board of Trustees. Earlier in the year, he represented North Carolina at the AWWA’s national conference in Washington, D.C. Discounted hotel rates The symposium is being held at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando, Florida . ISA has arranged a discounted hotel rate of $89/night (available until 15 July 2016 or until all available rooms are reserved) for symposium attendees for Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs nights.  Please mention “ISA Water/Wastewater Symposium” when booking, and use the group code “ISA”. To obtain the discounted rate, click here. The must-attend event for water and wastewater industries professionals ISA’s WWAC Symposium focuses entirely on the challenges associated with automation and instrumentation in the water and wastewater sectors. The symposium includes an extensive, two-day program of technical presentations; a tour of a local wastewater treatment plant; numerous networking events; a poster session; and a supplier showcase. Register HERE! Presented by the ISA Water and Wastewater Industries Division, in collaboration with the Florida AWWA Section, the WEF Automation and Info Tech Committee, the Florida Water Environment Association, and the Instrumentation Testing Association, the WWAC Symposium helps professionals in the water and wastewater industries understand how instrumentation, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), and automatic control applications are vital to the treatment and distribution of water; the collection and treatment of wastewater; and the management of stormwater. • Here is the conference brochure. Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are also available. • Gain valuable ISA training Attendees will also have the opportunity to take one of two high-value ISA courses during the event: Application of Industrial Wireless Systems - SP25C (a one-day course to be held 1 August), and Using the ISA/IEC 62443 Standards to Secure Your Control System – IC32 (a two-day course to be held 1-2 August). Given that space for the two courses is limited, individuals are encouraged to register soon. #WWAC #ISAuto #PAuto

Process control & safety papers sought!

ISA’s 2016 Process Control and Safety Symposium and Exhibition is seeking authors, innovators, thought leaders and other professionals in process measurement and control—particularly in the chemical and energy processing and other key process industry sectors—to submit abstracts for presentation consideration at the conference prior to the 22 July deadline.

The 2016 event will again be held in Houston (TX USA)—widely recognized as a global center for process industry and the oil and gas hub of the US.

To be conducted 7-10 November at the Houston Marriott Westchase, the conference will feature a wide range of workshops, tutorials, keynote speakers, paper presentations and exhibits, and is being co-organized by ISA’s Chemical and Petroleum Industries, Communications, Education, and Pulp and Paper divisions.

#PCS2016 #ISAuto #PAuto

Best & brightest in Water/Wastewater!

The best and brightest minds—including five eminent speakers—will address the critical issues and challenges in automation facing the water/wastewater industry at the 10th Annual ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium, 4-6 August 2015 in Orlando (FL USA). Attendees will gain the latest news and trends in automation and control systems, instrumentation, cybersecurity and emerging technologies across the water/wastewater industry. More than 30 technical presentations will be delivered, along with a forum session that will allow attendees to have a voice in the future of automation. ISA training Courses Add value to your attendance at the symposium by taking an on-location ISA training course.  2 courses will be offered during the week. 3-4 August Asset Management and Enterprise Integration Using the ANSI/ISA95 Standard (IC55) Instructor: Paul Nowicki Credits: 1.4 CEUs /14 PDHs 4 August Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (IC39C) Instructor: John Bogdan Credits: 0.7 CEUs / 7 PDHs A strong emphasis will be placed on recent advances and innovations in applying security to control systems; improving operator situational awareness; and monitoring and diagnosing plant equipment and system reliability issues through smart technology. The exhibit showcase will feature the latest product and service information at engaging vendor and supplier exhibits, and daily networking luncheons and an evening reception will set the stage for mingling, meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends. The symposium, which will be held at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA, is expected to draw between 200 and 300 attendees and is presented by the ISA Water/Wastewater Industries Division, in collaboration with the Florida Section of the AWWA (FSAWWA), the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA), the WEF Automation and Info Tech Committee and the Instrumentation Testing Association (ITA). Five outstanding opening session presentations and speakers John S. Young, Jr. P.E., will help to kick off the conference, delivering a presentation focused on the numerous challenges which must be addressed for water/wastewater utilities to be sustainable and provide safe, reliable service. Mr. Young has worked in the water utility industry his entire career. In 2010, Young retired from American Water, the largest water/wastewater utility in North America, after a 33 year career. At American Water, he served in numerous technical and management positions including Vice President–Engineering, President–American Water Works Service Company, Chief Water Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Recently, as a utility consultant, he has supported or assessed numerous water utilities including the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (during the Detroit bankruptcy) and PRASA. In addition to Young’s address, the following prominent speakers will also give presentations during the event: “Open Secure Automation: Observations for Improved ICS Reliability, Security and Performance” Speaker: Albert Rooyakkers Albert Rooyakkers will deliver a talk about the importance of cybersecurity beyond the network. This presentation will discuss how the reduction in the system attack surface can impart simplification while hardening embedded systems from the inside out to cyber, electromagnetic pulse and other forms of malicious nation state attacks resulting in improved reliability and mean time between failures. Rooyakkers is the Founder, CTO, and VP of Engineering of Bedrock Automation. Albert’s recent technical endeavors include developing parallel processors for video, hybrid propulsion systems for transportation and currently, as a Bedrock founder and CTO, designing and commercializing a revolutionary cyber secure automation platform for the global market. “Situational Awareness – The Next Leap in Industrial Human Machine Interface Design” Speaker: John Krajewski John Krajewski will discuss how the HMI should be designed to optimize the operator’s interpretation of the vast amount of data being displayed. The cornerstone of improving the overall HMI design is to deliver Situational Awareness (SA). Only by achieving the proper Situational Awareness can the operations team make effective decisions that will deliver overall business success. Krajewski has 19+ years of experience in industrial automation and control systems. Krajewski began his career working as a control system engineer in the potable water industry. Subsequently, he worked as an application engineer for a system integrator who primarily focuses on the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He joined Invensys Wonderware in April 2000 as a Senior Application Developer in the Product Marketing Department. Shortly thereafter, he assumed the role of Product Marketing’s Functional Manager of Infrastructure. He spent 5 years as a domain architect with responsibilities for architectural and functional definition of InTouch and ArchestrA technologies. For the past 5 years, he has served in multiple product management roles for Invensys HMI/Supervisory Control products. “WEF Current News and Trends” Speaker: Tom DeLaura, P.E. Thomas DeLaura, P.E. is the Vice President of Eramosa International, and the Executive Director of the Instrument Testing Association. DeLaura has 40 years of experience with automation, and has seen firsthand how it can support and enhance all facets of the wastewater business. His career has focused on influencing and comprehending industry best practices to enhance performance, enable well-informed decision making, and utilize human and automation resources to produce optimum results. His active roles at the local and national levels of ISA, WEF and AWWA are examples of his dedication to the industry and give him a true appreciation for the need to keep automation relevant during the many challenges and changes the wastewater industry is facing. DeLaura is a member of a number of committees in AWWA and WEF, including the AWWA I&C Committee, and he was WEF’s Chair of the Automation & Information Technology Committee. DeLaura has worked in all facets of automation associated with water/wastewater systems, from down in sewers, to out in the plant, and all the way up to the boardroom. He has written and presented on numerous topics of interest to the water and wastewater industry, and has received awards from the industry for his dedication and service. “AWWA Current News and Trends” Speaker: Michael Sweeney, P.E., Ph.D. Michael Sweeney, P.E., Ph.D. has served as the Deputy Executive Director of Toho Water Authority and has 30 years’ experience with water and wastewater utilities serving Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville. He has also provided consulting services concerning utility management and technology throughout the U.S. and Canada and has served as Adjunct Professor at Purdue University and University of Louisville. He is a registered professional engineer and holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Purdue and a B.S. degree in Public Health from Indiana University. Memberships include ISA, AWWA and he is WEF’s immediate past chair of the Utility Management Committee and current chair of the Literature Review Committee. #PAuto #ISAuto #WWAC16

Automation in power!

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has released the preliminary technical program for its 59th Power Industry Division (POWID) and EPRI Symposium, which will take place 27-30 June 2016 in Charlotte, (NC USA). With robust energy-related research, development and engineering operations, and more than 260 companies tied to the energy sector, the city of Charlotte is a fitting, exciting venue to host ISA’s POWID Symposium—the longest-running conference devoted to automation, control systems and instrumentation in the power generation industry. ISA is once again partnering with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)—a nonprofit research organization focused on the safe and effective generation, delivery and use of electricity—to conduct the event. What you need to know to compete in an ever-demanding marketplace A content-rich, value-packed program features leading energy experts and more than 50 technical paper presentations, delivering the critical insights and perspectives needed to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving energy marketplace. This year’s symposium, titled “Power Generation: Instrumentation and Control Solutions for Today’s Industry Challenges,” will address the key issues and dynamics impacting: All forms of energy, including nuclear, fossil fuels, hydro and renewables Data security and demands for improved industrial cybersecurity Reliable, efficient power generation and delivery Advanced technologies and emerging applications Attendees will: Learn about the latest innovations in instrumentation, controls and automation technologies Stay informed of vital regulatory requirements and updates Meet face to face with distinguished subject-matter experts Network with a wide range of power generation professionals Additional highlights of the symposium include: an opening night reception, keynote addresses by industry leaders, an honors and awards presentation, ISA Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Standards working group meetings, and an EPRI/ISA I&C interest group meeting. View the scheduled lineup of outstanding speakers, sessions and other agenda items on the 2016 POWID Symposium website as they become available. Sharpen your skills, improve your knowledge through expert ISA training. ISA will be conducting three essential ISA training courses in conjunction with the conference—a great opportunity to boost technical knowledge and gain CEUs and PDHs. Introduction to Boiler Control Systems (ES15C) – This tried-and-true ISA course provides process control system engineers, managers, project engineers, operators, and technicians in boiler houses and power plants a basic understanding of boiler operation and control. Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ANSI/ISA-62443 Standards (IC32C) - This valuable course: introduces the key terminology, concepts and models involved in industrial cybersecurity, covers the basics of the ISA/IEC 62443 standards, and explains how these standards should be applied to industrial automation and control systems. Introduction to Safety Instrumented Systems (EC50C) - This important course covers the fundamentals of SIS design and selection, exploring proper technology, the appropriate level of redundancy, system testing, and field devices.

#Pauto #Training  #POWID16 @EPRINews

Food & Pharma symposium almost doubles in size!

ISA conducted its third annual Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Division (FPID) Symposium last week in Cork, Ireland. This year's event—first time held outside of North America—draws nearly twice as many attendees as previous year, says ISA in this account.  • Read-out's own account on this event is here: Food & Phramaceutical Futures. Nearly 240 professionals within the automation and control field and the pharmaceutical and food industries gathered last week in Cork, Ireland to explore solutions to automation challenges in food processing and drug manufacture and distribution. ISA President Jim Keaveney & Ireland Section President Alan Batemen at the Symposium The 2016 ISA Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Division (FPID) Symposium, held 14-15 March, outlined best-practice approaches in automation to leaders of pharmaceutical and food processing companies seeking to improve quality, safety, reliability, profitability, cost control and production throughput. The turnout nearly doubled the attendance of last year’s event, which was held in Philadelphia, (PA USA). This year’s technical program featured 40 technical presentations and the perspectives of 33 subject matter experts. Particular attention was given to how automation can help solve key, front-and-center challenges—such as meeting regulatory requirements, reducing manufacturing costs, and countering security threats—and the role of automation technology and innovation in addressing longer-term global dynamics and demands. “This was truly an internationally focused event because it tackled the significant issues and trends in automation affecting the food and pharmaceutical industries on a global scale,” emphasized André Michel, President of Efficient Plant, Inc., and the Director of ISA’s Food and Pharmaceutical Division. “The technical presentations and content honed in on the vital concerns of attendees and how they can be overcome.” Michel added that ISA’s Ireland Section played a key role in promoting the event locally and attracting a large base of attendees.  Billy Walsh, chair of ISA’s Assembly of Operational Department Vice Presidents and a member of the Society’s Executive Board, said the event brought together a wide range of global experts—across end user and vendor communities and from industry research and development—that were eager to "exchange leading-edge viewpoints and ideas.”  Conference sessions covered a wide range of essential topics, including: Serialization Track and Trace Data integrity Digitization Cybersecurity Automation/biotech Process optimization Automation to Survive – Industry 4.0 Equipment effectiveness Jim Keaveney, ISA President, was presented  with a shamrock by Cork Mayor, Claire Cullinane. The event was held just prior to Ireland's national day St Patrick's Day Alarm management Other highlights of the event included: Featured presentations by two visionary experts in automation and control: Paul McKenzie, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Global Biologics Manufacturing & Technical Services at Biogen; and Peter Martin, Ph.D., Vice President and Fellow at Schneider Electric Company. Dr. McKenzie’s presentation, titled “Driving Change through Innovation and Standards,” discussed the importance of process and product innovation geared to customer value and standards-based thinking on product lifecycle management and partnership models. Dr. Martin’s presentation, titled “Innovation and a Future Perspective on Automation and Control,” investigated: the different levels of innovation; why industrial automation and control may be at an inflection point leading to inspirational innovation; and the prospects of performance improvements for food and pharmaceutical companies. A welcome address to attendees given by Cork County Mayor Councillor Claire Cullinane. A vendor exhibit featuring the products and services of 28 leading companies. Eleven sponsors and eight media partners supported the symposium. The on-site instruction of two high-value ISA courses:Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (IC39C) and Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ANSI/ISA-62443 Standards (IC32C) The opportunity to gain professional development hours (PDHs). ISA’s 2017 FPID Symposium is tentatively scheduled to take place in Boston, (MA USA) during March of next year. Symposium organizers are already recruiting volunteers, participants and speakers for the event. “Given the great success of this year’s event, many of the attendees, speakers and exhibitors I met with are very much looking forward to the 2017 symposium in Boston,” said Declan Lordan, Marketing and Sales Director at Douglas Control & Automation and a long-time ISA volunteer leader in Ireland. #FPID16 #ISAuto #PAuto

Major Food and Pharma event in Ireland looks exciting. #FPID16 #PAuto #ISAuto

Attendance at a previous FPID Symposium

We reported last year that the 3rd International Society of Automation's Food and Pharmaceutical Symposium (#FPID16) was scheduled to be held in Ireland in March 2016.  It is the first time that the event has been staged outside of North America and already a formidable line-up of speakers have agreed to present. This is the principle event of the ISA's Food & Pharmaceutical Division.

One of the keynote speakers is Dr Peter G. Martin, the world-renowned and acclaimed expert in automation and control, having held executive and technical positions in engineering, product and strategic planning, marketing and training throughout his career and is a Senior. He is VP and Edison Master with Schneider Electric Company.Dr Martin is a recipient of the ISA Life Achievement Award, and has been named as one of the 50 most influential innovators of all time in instrumentation and controls. He is also an ISA Fellow.
An invigorating and knowledgeable speaker, he will address the topic of Innovation and a Future Perspective on Automation and Control. 

Dr Paul McKenzie, the second keynote speaker is the Vice President of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices, Ethicon Research & Development (R&D). As a member of the Ethicon Global Management Board and the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Research & Development Leadership Team, Paul is a trusted leader, responsible for R&D’s global strategy, portfolio prioritization and execution, resource strategy & development, and advancement of R&D talent.
Dr McKenzie will adress Using Data to Optimize the Product Life Cycle.

Other speakers, users and developers, and there are around forty listed, will address topic such as (to name a few):

• Benefits of Serialization Track & Trace; 
• Industry Engagement and Solutions; 
• Preparing your laboratory for a data integrity audit; 
• The Application of Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) in the form of The Connected Enterprise;
• Cybersecurity; 
• Alarm Management; and many others.

The International President of ISA, Mr Jim Keaveney will also be in attendance and it is hoped to have a member of the Government in attendance though of course pending the result of the Irish General Election scheduled for February.

 #FPID16 #PAuto #ISAuto

Process Control & Safety event!

The advance programme for ISA's 2015 Process Control & Safety Symposium (PCS15), featuring world-class presentations, paper sessions, panel discussions, tutorials, training courses, vendor exhibitions, and other value-packed activities—all designed to help process measurement and control professionals in chemical and energy processing and other process industry sectors operate more safely and securely. Leveraging the global expertise of seven ISA technical divisions, the symposium is expected to draw more than 200 registrants 9-12 November 2015 in Houston (TX USA). Attendees will learn how everyday decisions can have significant downstream results—both positively and negatively—on plant safety and security as well as on key quality and efficiency metrics. Download the complete conference programme of the PCS15 by clicking here.   Held for the first time last year, the symposium brings ISA’s world-class technical content, training and exhibiting opportunities back to Houston in response to strong demand among the area’s automation professionals. Highlights include: Four targeted ISA courses, led by ISA’s globally recognized subject matter experts. Three renowned keynote speakers: Maurice Wilkins, Ph.D., Vice President of Yokogawa’s Strategic Marketing Center; Lloyd F. Colegrove, Ph.D., Director of Data Services and Fundamental Problem Solving at the Analytical Technology Center within The Dow Chemical Company; and Paul Gruhn, Global Process Safety Consultant at Rockwell Automation. An extensive, content-rich technical program. (All sessions, segmented by topic, are listed further down in this press release.) An outstanding vendor exhibit demonstrating the latest technologies and solutions from 25 industry leaders. (A complete list of exhibitors is included further down in this press release.) A special feature is Tech Day, to be held on Tuesday, 10 November, when the exhibit hall will be open to all automation professionals in the Houston area at no charge, and a reception, with cash bar, will be offered. Industry-proven ISA training in process safety, security and wireless systems Attendees can choose from four industry-proven ISA courses (and earn valuable CEUs) encompassing the critical components of safety, security and wireless communications. The training courses, all of which will be conducted on Monday, 9 November, include: Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (IC39C) - Focuses on the key activities of the alarm management lifecycle provided in the ANSI/ISA18.00.02 standard, Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries. Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ANSI/ISA99 (IEC 62443) Standards (IC32C) - Concentrates on the fundamentals of the ANSI/ISA99 Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems standards and how these can be applied in the typical factory or plant. An Introduction to Safety Instrumented Systems (EC50C) - Covers the basics of the design and selection of safety systems, examining proper use of technology, level of redundancy, testing, field devices, and other considerations. Industrial Wireless Systems (IC85C) - Examines the most relevant details of industrial wireless systems with an emphasis on how various technologies coexist, interoperate, and interact with each other. Numerous real-world examples are illustrated. An expert-driven program of technical and tutorial sessions Attendees are sure to gain practical knowledge they can immediately apply in the workplace through expert-delivered tutorials and incisive, thought-provoking paper sessions on safety, communications, chemicals, instrumentation and control, and other vital topics Learn all about the latest developments and emerging trends in process control and industrial cybersecurity that are determining future operational needs, expectations, and requirements.

Instrumentation symposium issues "Call for Papers!"

The Program Committee of the 62nd International Instrumentation Symposium (IIS) has issued a Call for Papers, inviting authors, innovators, thought leaders and other professionals in the instrumentation field to submit abstracts for presentation consideration at the conference. This year’s conference, to be held jointly with the Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT Society), will be conducted 24-26 May 2016 at the Dayton Convention Center in Dayton, (OH USA). Three ISA divisions—Aerospace Industries, Test Measurement, and Process Measurement and Control—are sponsoring the event, which will include paper sessions, presentations, short courses, workshops and tutorials. (For the most up-to-date information on the conference, including short courses, workshops and tutorials, refer to the ISA website.) ISA’s International Instrumentation Symposium is recognized by industry experts throughout the world as the premier annual forum for the exploration of new and innovative instrumentation techniques, solutions and applications. The deadline for abstract submission is 15 January 2016. Papers submitted will be considered for publication in the ISA technical journal, ISA Transactions.

Important Food and Pharma event scheduled for Ireland in 2016.

160 professionals within the automation and control field and the pharmaceuticals and food industries will gather in Cork (IRL) next March to explore solutions to the critical challenges relating to automation in food processing and drug manufacture and distribution.

Book Now

The third annual ISA Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Division (FPID) Symposium will deliver best practice insights and approaches to leaders of pharmaceutical and food processing companies seeking to improve quality, safety, reliability, profitability, cost control and production throughput. The meeting’s content-rich technical program will highlight the latest trends, innovations, strategies and techniques in process automation through expert-­led technical sessions and numerous roundtable discussions. A spectrum of technical sessions will cover key topics and issues of importance. The first such event was held in North Carolina (2014) the second in Philadelphia in 2015, both in the USA.

The first paper call has been issued and the deadline is 30th November 2015.

This will be the first of these internationally focused ISA symposia to be held outside of continental North America.

The local ISA Section is heavily involved in the organising of the event and has extensive experience in the organising of national events such as the Technology Modernisation seminar earlier this year. Updates will be highlighted and contact details will be listed on the symposium website.

There is also a limited amount of space for exhibitors and Carol Schafer is the person to contact to insure your company is in the heart of things.

Sunset  over Cork City

#FPID16 #PAuto #ISAuto

Registration for water & wastewater symposium!

Early bird registration deadline for 2015 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium extended!

The deadline for early bird registration for the 2015 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium has been extended to 1 July 2015. The original deadline was 15 June 2015.

Register by July 1 to get early bird pricing for the 2015 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium. Register for only $325—the special early bird ISA member rate (a $125 discount). Additionally, discounts are offered for AWWA, WEF, and ITA members.

Take advantage of two ISA training opportunities
Add value to your attendance at the symposium by taking an on-location ISA training course. Two courses will be offered during the week.

3-4 August
Asset Management and Enterprise Integration Using the ANSI/ISA95 Standard (IC55)
Instructor: Paul Nowicki
Credits: 1.4 CEUs /14 PDHs

4 August
Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (IC39C)
Instructor: John Bogdan

Credits: 0.7 CEUs / 7 PDHs

The 2015 ISA WWAC Symposium, to be conducted 4-6 August 2015 at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA, is expected to draw between 200 and 300 attendees and more than 30 speakers.

Presented by the ISA Water/Wastewater Industries Division, in collaboration with the Florida Section of the AWWA (FSAWWA), the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA), the WEF Automation and Info Tech Committee, and the Instrumentation Testing Association (ITA), the ISA WWAC Symposium helps professionals in the water and wastewater industries understand how instrumentation, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), and automatic control applications are vital to the treatment and distribution of water, and the collection and treatment of wastewater. The symposium also provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable technical information, networking, professional development, and continuing education credits (CEUs and PDHs).

Attendees will receive 2.0 CEUs (credit equivalent units) from the ISA/Florida Section of the AWWA for attending this content-rich 2.5 day symposium. The two optional training courses also offer additional CEUs: Introduction to the Management of Alarm Systems (1-day = 0.7 CEUs) and Asset Management and Enterprise Integration Using the ANSI/ISA95 Standard (2-days = 1.4 CEUs). All CEUs and PDHs have been certified by the Florida AWWA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“The ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium has continued to be successful over the past three years. Our secret is our focus,” says Bob Lindeman, the 2012 president of ISA who gave the opening remarks at the 2013 WWAC Symposium. “The event caters specifically to the needs of professionals involved with automation, instrumentation and SCADA in the municipal water and wastewater sectors. It is a niche event and we are proud of its increasing popularity. There is no other event like it in North America.”

Analytical processes, techniques and applications probed!

More than 300 process and analytical professionals, industry experts and vendors from across the world gathered in Galveston (TX USA) last month to explore and discuss the latest advances in analytical processes, techniques and applications at the 2015 ISA Analysis Division Symposium.

Awards

ISA’s Analysis Division presented seven Gilmer Thomason Fowler Konrad (GTFK) awards. The GTFK awards program, established in 1976 as a memorial to four of ISA’s past directors (Fred Gilmer, Edward Thomason, Lewis Fowler and Ken Konrad), recognizes the authors of the best technical papers in the analysis field.
The 2015 GTFK award winners are:
Michael Roberto
Randy Pell
Scott Ramos
Brian Rohrback
Jean-Nic Adami
Ani Weling
Julia Graber
In addition, the Model 888 Sulfur Recovery Tail Gas developed by AMETEK Process Instruments was recognized as the Innovative Product of the Year in an award category open to the symposium’s 70 product vendors.

This long-running symposium, now in its 60th year, offered a comprehensive program that included three days of technical sessions and presentations; vendor-led training; a Technology Forum and Exhibition of 70 participating companies; a banquet, an annual awards ceremony; and a variety of social activities.

In all, 32 peer-reviewed technical papers—examining the critical issues and emerging innovations in sampling, chromatography, spectroscopy, chemiluminescence and other analytical techniques and instrumentation—were presented. Expert speakers discussed emerging trends and developments and reviewed best practices and success stories.

“The ISA Analysis Division Symposium was a great opportunity to create new industry connections and pursue new ways to get involved at the professional level,” remarked attendee Owen Evans. “The connections I made at the event provided me with useful advice and improved my industry understanding.”

The day before the technical program began, a course on process analytic fundamentals was conducted, providing course registrants with foundational knowledge across a wide range of areas, including: gas chromatography, spectroscopy, discrete gas analysis, system design, sample conditioning systems, communications networking and more.

Following the conclusion of the technical program, later in the week, representatives from leading vendors and suppliers provided valuable hands-on training, specifically designed for technicians, on their newest products. Vendor training workshops were conducted by seven companies: ABB Analytical, AMETEK Process Instruments, Servomex, Siemens, Thermo Scientific, Yokogawa, and PAC.

“Overall, this event was a wonderful educational, networking and social event that provided my company an excellent opportunity to promote its technologies and gain insights from industry partners,” emphasized Brad Johnson, a vendor sales manager. “I highly recommend attending it as it will help you better define automation and process success.”

LDAR Symposium for the Big Easy!

The opening of registration for the 15th Annual Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)-Fugitive Emissions Symposium, has been announced. It is scheduled to take place 19-21 May 2015 in New Orleans, (LA USA). The Venue: Crowne Plaza Astor Reflecting the USA's EPA’s Next Generation Compliance initiative (2014-2017), the symposium will demonstrate how air compliance professionals need to be more proactive—and less reactive—in meeting newly stated EPA compliance objectives and expectations, and in taking advantage of the latest technologies and best practices.   In addressing the needs of petroleum refiners, operators of chemical processing plants and pharmaceutical manufacturers, particular emphasis will be placed on: Preparing for both short-term and long-term regulatory requirements Delivering the latest news and updates in air compliance, direct from EPA officials and industry experts Overcoming the most common air emission reduction challenges Encouraging lively, interactive dialogue through tutorials, panel sessions and networking activities Sharing real-world successes and experiences Outlining best-practice strategies and recommendations The critical issues and topics will be explored Topics and issues of importance to be covered include: Long-term sealability Lowering and preventing leaks Environmental/LDAR compliance LDAR design and validation Consent Decree updates Low leak technologies Implementing LDAR programs at plants and refineries LDAR compliance Batch programs Reducing air emissions Emission performance LDAR regulations New and expanded program topics include: Contractor reliability Cybersecurity Emerging technologies in LDAR LDAR records maintenance and reporting New EPA alerts & new emission regulations Oil and gas QA/QC of LDAR data Subpart W Regulations from the EPA and TCEQ Upstream and midstream technology In addition, leading vendors and equipment manufacturers will display their latest products and services, such as sealing materials and assembly devices and techniques. Two ISA training opportunities On Tuesday, 19 May—before the technical program begins—ISA will be conducting two valuable training courses: Audit-Proofing Your LDAR Program (SP09PC) and Implementation and Maintenance of LDAR Programs for Oil and Gas Sites (SP12PC). Mardi Gras-themed mixer sponsored by Avanti Environmental On the evening of Wednesday, 20 May, Avanti Environmental will host a networking mixer—featuring a New Orleans band, food, refreshments, fun and prizes. The gathering, held immediately following the final technical session, provides an ideal opportunity to socialize and relax, meet with event presenters and speakers, and reconnect with friends.